Traction Device

ABSTRACT

Example traction devices, systems and methods for use thereof are provided. An example traction device may include (a) a frame comprising a top support having first and second ends, where the first end of the top support is coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of the top support is coupled to a second vertical support and (b) a balance bar moveably coupled to the top support via a wire, where opposing ends of the balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define a receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/914,006, filed Dec. 10, 2013, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Traction beds are used for performing therapy on individuals having amyriad of injuries, pain, or other ailments. For example, traction bedsare typically used for performing therapy on individuals having backpain to alleviate or reduce their back pain. Such therapy may involvestretching the individual's back by placing the individual into aharness, then strapping the harness at four different locations (i.e.,upper left/right and lower left/right locations) to respective leverarms on the traction bed, and actuating the lever arms to pull on theharness. Known traction beds may be limited in capability to stretch theindividual's back, may be painful for a patient to move into position onthe table and may be painful or uncomfortable in use.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments beneficially provide traction devices and systems,as well as methods for use thereof that may permit upright nomadicdecompression that may have decreased levels of discomfort for a patientover known traction devices and techniques. The amount of traction,flection and/or distraction may be advantageously controlled. Forexample, extenuation and/or diminishment of the lumbar curvature of apatient through gravitational pull may be achieved, while a patient isin suspension. Traction may be achieved using a balance bar and atension wire of the invention with a patient in upright standingtraction, in a seated position on a seat member with feet raised off theground or free hanging from the suspension with feet up and back.

In an alternative arrangement, a patient may be suspended directly fromthe frame of the traction device and traction is induced through theaction of gravity. This may result in a deep-seated stretch with thebody fully relaxed. This arrangement may have the unique benefit ofbeing able to provide both flection and distraction of the spine.

Thus, in one aspect, a traction device is provided including thefeatures of (i) a frame comprising a top support having first and secondends, where the first end of the top support is coupled to a firstvertical support and the second end of the top support is coupled to asecond vertical support and (ii) a balance bar moveably coupled to thetop support via a wire, where opposing ends of the balance bar are eachcoupled to an attachment ring or define a receptacle.

In a second aspect, a traction system is provided including the featuresof (i) a traction device that has (a) a frame comprising a top supporthaving first and second ends, wherein the first end of the top supportis coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of the topsupport is coupled to a second vertical support, (b) a balance barmoveably coupled to the top support via a wire, wherein opposing ends ofthe balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define areceptacle, (c) at least two attachment rings either coupled to the topsupport or at least two receptacles defined by the top support, whereinthe at least two attachment rings or receptacles are disposed betweenthe first and the second vertical supports on opposite sides of the wireand (ii) a suspension harness that has (a) a torso-engaging portion, (b)a first strap and a second strap each attached at one end to a front ofthe torso-engaging portion and at another end to a back of thetorso-engaging portion and (c) a lower-appendage support strap and (iii)where the first and second straps of the suspension harness areremovably coupled to a first and a second attachment ring or receptacleof either the top support or the balance bar.

A third aspect provides a method to induce traction including the stepsof (i) providing a traction device comprising (a) a frame comprising atop support having first and second ends, wherein the first end of thetop support is moveably coupled to a first vertical support and thesecond end of the top support is coupled to a second vertical support,(b) a balance bar coupled to the top support via a wire, whereinopposing ends of the balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ringor define a receptacle, (c) at least two attachment rings either coupledto the top support or at least two receptacles defined by the topsupport, wherein the at least two attachment rings or receptacles aredisposed between the first and the second vertical supports on oppositesides of the wire, (ii) providing a suspension harness comprising (a) atorso-engaging portion, (b) a first strap and a second strap eachattached at one end to a front of the torso-engaging portion and atanother end to a back of the torso-engaging portion and (c) alower-appendage support strap, (iii) removably coupling the first andsecond straps of the suspension harness to a first and a secondattachment ring or receptacle of the balance bar, via first and secondlinkages and (iv) placing the wire under tension via a pressure controlsystem and raising the suspension harness.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading thefollowing detailed description, with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a traction device according to one exampleembodiment. DETAIL A is a detail view of FIG. 1 showing across-sectional front view of the housing according to one exampleembodiment and a front view of two suspension mechanisms according toone example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the traction device of the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the fraction device of the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the traction device of the example embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a back view of a suspension harness according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the suspension harness of the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example fraction devices and systems, as well as methods of use thereof,are described herein. Any example embodiment or feature described hereinis not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous overother embodiments or features. The example embodiments described hereinare not meant to be limiting. It will be readily understood that certainaspects of the disclosed methods can be arranged and combined in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are contemplatedherein.

Furthermore, the particular arrangements shown in the Figures should notbe viewed as limiting. It should be understood that other embodimentsmay include more or less of each element shown in a given Figure.Further, some of the illustrated elements may be combined or omitted.Yet further, an example embodiment may include elements that are notillustrated in the Figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a fraction device 100 is shown including a frame105 having a top support 110 having first 111 and second ends 112. Thefirst end 111 of the top support 110 is coupled to a first verticalsupport 115 and the second end 112 of the top support 110 is coupled toa second vertical support 120.

In addition, the traction device 100 includes a balance bar 125 ismoveably coupled to the top support 110 via a wire 130. Opposing ends ofthe balance bar 125 are each coupled to an attachment ring 126 or definea receptacle 127. In one embodiment, a plurality of attachment rings 126may be coupled to the balance bar or a plurality of receptacles 127 maybe defined by the balance bar 125 (shown in dashed lines in Detail A).These attachment rings 126 or receptacles 127 are arranged along alength of the balance bar 125 and may permit patient-specificadjustments to be made during treatment. The attachment rings andreceptacles are not limited to a ring-shaped configuration per se, andmay include any polygonal, circular or hook shaped configuration capableof receiving corresponding linkage from a strap on a harness, forexample, such as a hook, carabineer, O-ring or D-ring.

In one embodiment, the top support 110 may be coupled to at least twoattachment rings 135 or may define least two receptacles 136. Theseattachment rings or receptacles may be disposed between the first andthe second vertical supports 115, 120 on opposite sides of the wire 130.In a further embodiment, a first plurality of attachment rings 135 maybe coupled to the top support 110 or a first plurality of receptacles136 may be defined in the top support 110 (shown in dashed lines inDetail A). These first attachment rings or receptacles may extendbetween the first vertical support 111 and the wire 130. Likewise, aplurality of second attachment rings 135 may be coupled to the topsupport 110 or a second plurality of receptacles 136 may be defined inthe top support 110 (shown in dashed lines in Detail A). These secondattachment rings 135 or receptacles 136 may extend between the secondvertical support 112 and the wire 130. The attachment rings andreceptacles discussed above with respect to the balance bar 125 areequally applicable to those of the top support 110.

In another embodiment, the traction device 100 may further include abase 140 that may be coupled to an end of the first vertical support 115and to an end of the second vertical support 120 that are arrangedopposite to the top support 110. The base 140 may have a planar topsurface 143 or concave top surface 144, as shown in FIG. 1. If a seatmember is part of the traction device, the concave top surface may helpthe seat member stay properly aligned with the frame 105.

In still a further embodiment, the traction device 100 may also includea vibration apparatus 145 coupled to one or more of the base 140 and theframe 105. In operation, the vibration apparatus may advantageouslyincrease a patient's blood flow.

In one embodiment, traction device 100 may further include a housing 150that may be coupled to the top support 110. The housing 150 may define aconduit 155 to receive and house the wire 130. In one embodiment, thehousing 150 may include a vertical section 151 and a horizontal section152. The vertical section 151 may be disposed adjacent either the firstor the second vertical support 115, 120 and the horizontal section 152may be disposed adjacent to the top support 110 of the frame 105. Apiston 160 may be arranged within a cylinder 161 and may be disposed inthe conduit 155. And a pressure control system 165 may be configured tomove the piston 160 within the cylinder 161. The wire 130 has a firstend 131 and a second end 132 arranged such that the first end 131 iscoupled to the piston 160 and the second end 132 is coupled to thecenter of the balance bar 125.

In one embodiment, a first rotatable support 170 may be disposed in thehousing 150 adjacent to a location at which the wire 130 extends fromthe housing 150 or the top support 110. The first rotatable support 170is in mechanical communication with the wire 130. In another embodiment,a second rotatable support 175 may be disposed in the housing 150between the piston 160 and the first rotatable support 170 at a junctionof the vertical section 151 and the horizontal section 152 of thehousing 150. The second rotatable support 175 is in mechanicalcommunication with the wire 130. The rotatable supports 170, 175 mayinclude a pulley, a roller, a bearing or any other mechanism capable ofinterfacing with a wire in motion to reduce friction and help advancethe wire.

In one embodiment, the traction device 100 may further include a footplatform 180 coupled to one or more of the frame 105 or the base 140 viarigid bars 181, for example. The foot platform 180 is preferably angledoutwardly from the frame 105 and base 140. In another embodiment, handrails 141 may extend between the first vertical support 115 and thesecond vertical support 120 above the foot platform 180. These handrails 141 may have a plurality of grips 142 extending there between. Therails 141 and grips 142 are positioned in a patient-facing manner tofacilitate with traction-related exercises, for example. Similarly, thefirst and second vertical supports 115, 120 may each include a pluralityof hand rails or grips 116, 121 having a vertically-extending,spaced-apart arrangement. And the top support 110 may also include aplurality of hand rails or grips 113 having a spaced-apart arrangement.All of the foregoing hand rails and grips may be utilized to executestretches and traction exercises, for example.

The traction device 100 may also include a seat member 185 movablycoupled to the frame 105 or in mechanical communication with a topsurface 143 of the base 140. The seat member 185 may take the form of agym or balance ball, in one embodiment. In one embodiment, a seat member185 taking the form of a gym or balance ball, for example may bedisposed beneath the patient. In alternative embodiments, the seatmember may include a platform configured to interface with a patient'sbuttocks and may be movably coupled to the frame 105.

In a second aspect of the invention, a traction system is provided(shown in part in Detail A). The system includes a traction deviceaccording to the any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of theinvention. The system may further include a suspension harness 200 thatincludes a torso-engaging portion 205 configured to be disposed about onor more of the torso, hips and/or ribs of a patient. The suspensionharness 200 also includes a first strap 210 and a second strap 215 eachattached at one end to a front 206 of the torso-engaging portion 205 andat another end to a back 207 of the torso-engaging portion 205. Alower-appendage support strap 220 is also coupled to the torso-engagingportion 205. The top of each strap is coupled to a D-ring, O-Ring orother receptacle for coupling to the traction device 211. In operation,the first and second straps 210, 215 of the suspension harness 200 areremovably coupled to a first and a second attachment ring 126, 135 orreceptacle 127, 136 of either the top support 110 or the balance bar125. As described below with respect to the third aspect of theinvention, different types of traction may be achieved by coupling theharness 200 to either the top support 110 or balance bar 125. In oneembodiment, chains or other linked cables 190 may be used to connect thefirst and second straps to the top support 110 or balance bar 125 via aremovable connector 195, like a carabineer or a hook, in order toincrease range of movement during traction-based exercises and toaccount for different patient heights, for example.

In a third aspect of the invention, a method to induce traction is shownin FIG. 7. As shown by block 310, method 300 involves providing atraction device comprising (a) a frame comprising a top support havingfirst and second ends, wherein the first end of the top support ismoveably coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of thetop support is coupled to a second vertical support, (b) a balance barcoupled to the top support via a wire, wherein opposing ends of thebalance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define areceptacle, (c) at least two attachment rings either coupled to the topsupport or at least two receptacles defined by the top support, whereinthe at least two attachment rings or receptacles are disposed betweenthe first and the second vertical supports on opposite sides of thewire. Then at block 320, method 300 involves providing a suspensionharness comprising (a) a torso-engaging portion, (b) a first strap and asecond strap each attached at one end to a front of the torso-engagingportion and at another end to a back of the torso-engaging portion and(c) a lower-appendage support strap. Next, as shown in block 330, themethod 300 includes the first and second straps of the suspensionharness being removably coupled to a first and a second attachment ringor receptacle of the balance bar, via first and second linkages. Then,at block 340, the wire is placed under tension via a pressure controlsystem and the suspension harness is raised towards the top support.

In this arrangement, nomadic decompression may be achieved and theamount of traction, flection and/or distraction may be advantageouslycontrolled. For example, the first and second straps on the suspensionharness may permit extenuation and/or diminishment of the lumbarcurvature of a patient through gravitational pull, while a patient is insuspension. The balance bar 125 and wire 130 configuration may alsopermit a patient to lean and stretch side-to-side relieving pressureboth sides of a respective disc. Traction may be achieved in thisarrangement with a patient in upright standing traction, in a seatedposition on a seat member with feet raised off the ground or freehanging from the suspension with feet up and back.

In one embodiment, the method 300 may further include releasing thefirst and the second linkages from the first and the second attachmentrings or receptacles of the balance bar. Then, the first and secondstraps of the suspension harness may be removably coupled to a first anda second attachment ring or receptacle of the top support, via third andfourth linkages. Alternatively, the first and second linkages may beused to connect the straps to the top support.

In this arrangement, the patient is suspended directly from the framevia first and second attachment rings and the first and second straps ofthe suspension harness. In this embodiment, traction is induced throughthe action of gravity. This may result in a deep-seated stretch with thebody fully relaxed. In one embodiment, the legs may be disposed at a 90degree angle. This arrangement has the unique benefit of being able toprovide both flection and distraction of the spine.

In another embodiment, method 300 may further include vibrating theframe. In operation, vibration of the frame may translate to thesuspension harness and may advantageously increase a patient's bloodflow.

In an additional embodiment, method 300 may also include providing aseat member coupled to the frame or disposed on a base coupled to theframe and then moving the seat member relative to the frame. In thisarrangement, the patient is in a seated position on the seat member withtheir knees at a 90 degree angle with their feet on a foot platform. Inone embodiment, the patient maintains his knees in this position for10-20 seconds and then straightens his knees for 3-5 seconds. In apreferred embodiment, the patient maintains his knees at a 90 degreeangle for 10 seconds and then straightens his knees for 3 seconds. Theknees are bent and straightened in this fashion for 5 to 15 minutes.When a patient first begins traction treatment, the patient maytypically repeat the bending-straightening exercise for 5 minutes andmay gradually build up to 15 minutes over time and additionaltreatments.

The above detailed description describes various features and functionsof the disclosed traction device and methods for use thereof withreference to the accompanying figures. While various aspects andembodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodimentswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects andembodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and arenot intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit beingindicated by the following claims.

1. A traction device, comprising: a frame comprising a top support having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the top support is coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of the top support is coupled to a second vertical support; and a balance bar moveably coupled to the top support via a wire, wherein opposing ends of the balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define a receptacle.
 2. The traction device of claim 1, further comprising: at least two attachment rings either coupled to the top support or at least two receptacles defined by the top support, wherein the at least two attachment rings or receptacles are disposed between the first and the second vertical supports on opposite sides of the wire.
 3. The traction device of claim 1, further comprising: a first plurality of attachment rings coupled to the top support or a first plurality of receptacles defined in the top support, wherein the first plurality of attachment rings or receptacles extend between the first vertical support and the wire; and a second plurality of attachment rings coupled to the top support or a second plurality of receptacles defined in the top support, wherein the second plurality of attachment rings or receptacles extend between the second vertical support and the wire.
 4. The traction device of claim 1, further comprising: a base coupled to an end of the first vertical support and to an end of the second vertical support that are arranged opposite to the top support.
 5. The traction device of claim 4, further comprising: a vibration apparatus coupled to one or more of the base and the frame.
 6. The traction device of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of attachment rings coupled to the balance bar or a plurality of receptacles defined by the balance bar; wherein the plurality of attachment rings or receptacles are arranged along a length of the balance bar.
 7. The traction device of claim 1, further comprising: a housing coupled to the top support, wherein the housing defines a conduit; a piston arranged within a cylinder and disposed in the conduit; and a pressure control system configured to move the piston within the cylinder, wherein the wire has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the wire is coupled to the piston and the second end of the wire is coupled to a center of the balance bar.
 8. The traction device of claim 7, further comprising: a first rotatable support disposed in the housing adjacent to a location at which the wire extends from the housing or the top support, wherein the first rotatable support is in mechanical communication with the wire.
 9. The traction device of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the vertical section is disposed adjacent either the first or the second vertical support and the horizontal section is disposed adjacent to the top support of the frame.
 10. The traction device of claim 9, further comprising: a second rotatable support disposed in the housing between the piston and the first rotatable support at a junction of the vertical section and the horizontal section of the housing, wherein the second rotatable support is in mechanical communication with the wire.
 11. The traction device of claim 4, further comprising: a foot platform coupled to one or more of the frame or the base.
 12. The traction device of claim 11, wherein hand rails extend between the first vertical support and the second vertical support above the foot platform.
 13. The traction device of claim 1, wherein the first and second vertical supports each comprise a plurality of hand rails or grips having a vertically-extending, spaced-apart arrangement.
 14. The traction device of claim 1, wherein the top support comprises a plurality of hand rails or grips having a spaced-apart arrangement.
 15. The traction device of claim 4, further comprising: a seat member movably coupled to the frame or in mechanical communication with a top surface of the base.
 16. A traction system, comprising: a traction device comprising (a) a frame comprising a top support having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the top support is coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of the top support is coupled to a second vertical support, (b) a balance bar moveably coupled to the top support via a wire, wherein opposing ends of the balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define a receptacle, (c) at least two attachment rings either coupled to the top support or at least two receptacles defined by the top support, wherein the at least two attachment rings or receptacles are disposed between the first and the second vertical supports on opposite sides of the wire; a suspension harness comprising (a) a torso-engaging portion, (b) a first strap and a second strap each attached at one end to a front of the torso-engaging portion and at another end to a back of the torso-engaging portion and (c) a lower-appendage support strap; and wherein the first and second straps of the suspension harness are removably coupled to a first and a second attachment ring or receptacle of either the top support or the balance bar.
 17. A method to induce traction, the method comprising: providing a traction device comprising (a) a frame comprising a top support having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the top support is moveably coupled to a first vertical support and the second end of the top support is coupled to a second vertical support, (b) a balance bar coupled to the top support via a wire, wherein opposing ends of the balance bar are each coupled to an attachment ring or define a receptacle, (c) at least two attachment rings either coupled to the top support or at least two receptacles defined by the top support, wherein the at least two attachment rings or receptacles are disposed between the first and the second vertical supports on opposite sides of the wire; providing a suspension harness comprising (a) a torso-engaging portion, (b) a first strap and a second strap each attached at one end to a front of the torso-engaging portion and at another end to a back of the torso-engaging portion and (c) a lower-appendage support strap; removably coupling the first and second straps of the suspension harness to a first and a second attachment ring or receptacle of the balance bar, via first and second linkages; and placing the wire under tension via a pressure control system and raising the suspension harness.
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising: releasing the first and the second linkages from the first and the second attachment rings or receptacles of the balance bar; and removably coupling the first and second straps of the suspension harness to a first and a second attachment ring or receptacle of the top support, via third and fourth linkages.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: vibrating the frame.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providing a seat member coupled to the frame or disposed on a base coupled to the frame; and moving the seat member relative to the frame. 